What does a doula do?

What Does a Birth Doula Actually Do?

If you’ve heard the word doula but aren’t totally sure what that means, you’re not alone. Most people start Googling “birth doula” somewhere between a positive pregnancy test and a late-night spiral about labour 😅

So let’s clear it up!

First things first: what a doula is not

A birth doula is not a doctor, midwife, or nurse. We don’t do medical care, we don’t catch babies, and we don’t replace your partner or support person.

What we do is support you.

Physically. Emotionally. Mentally. Informationally.

Think of a birth doula as the calm, steady presence whose whole job is to help you feel supported, informed, and confident during pregnancy, labour, and birth.

During pregnancy: prep, clarity, and reassurance

Before labour even starts, a doula spends time getting to know you — your hopes, your fears, your previous experiences (if any), and what kind of support actually feels good to you.

This often looks like:

• Talking through birth options in plain language

• Helping you understand common procedures and interventions

• Answering the “is this normal?” questions that pop up at 2am

• Supporting you as you build a birth team and birth preferences

• Helping you prepare your partner so they feel confident too

A big part of this stage is information. A doula doesn’t tell you what you should do — we help you understand your options so you can decide what’s right for your body and your baby.

During labour:

When labour starts, this is where many people really feel the value of having a doula.

Birth can be unpredictable, intense, emotional, empowering, overwhelming — sometimes all within the same hour. A doula stays with you continuously, adapting support as things change.

This can include:

• Comfort measures like hands-on support, massage, counter-pressure, and position changes

• Helping you find breathing patterns and coping techniques that work for you

• Offering reassurance and grounding when things feel intense or scary

• Supporting your partner so they can support you better

• Helping you process information and ask questions when decisions come up

One of the biggest things a doula does? Hold space. No rushing. No judging. No agenda. Just steady, calm presence when it matters most.

Advocacy (without speaking for you)

A doula doesn’t speak over you or make decisions on your behalf. Instead, we help make sure you feel heard.

That might mean:

• Reminding you of options you’ve already talked about

• Helping you pause and ask questions

• Supporting you emotionally if plans change

• Helping you process what’s happening in real time

Sometimes advocacy looks loud, but often it’s quiet, a reminder or check in that you’re allowed to take a breath and ask for clarity.

After the birth: emotional support and processing

Birth doesn’t end the moment your baby arrives.

Many doulas stay for the immediate postpartum period to help with things like:

• Processing the birth experience

• Emotional reassurance (especially if things didn’t go as planned)

• Supporting early bonding and feeding

• Making sure you’re comfortable before leaving

For many people, having someone help them make sense of their birth, without judgment, is incredibly valuable.

So… why hire a birth doula?

People hire doulas for all kinds of reasons:

• They want continuous support in a medical system that can feel rushed

• They want to feel more confident and informed

• They want extra emotional support — for themselves and their partner

• They want someone who is fully focused on them, not charting or shift changes

At the end of the day, a birth doula’s role is simple, to support you through one of the biggest, most vulnerable moments of your life.

If you’re curious about what kind of support would feel best for you, a conversation with a doula can be a really gentle place to start 🤍

Book a free consultation today!

Your Birth Bestie,

Katrina Tessier

Winnipeg Birth Doula